Peter Crouch has developed a reputation for scoring sensational acrobatic goals over the years, but the striker may have found a new rival in unknown Russian midfielder Alan Gatagov.

One-time England international, Crouch, has seemingly defied the laws of gravity on more than one occasion throughout his career to net memorable goals at club level.

Liverpool fans no doubt recall his stunning scissor kick against Galatasaray in a 3-2 victory over the Turkish giants in the Champions League back in September 2006.

It is not the only time the 6ft 7in striker has stunned onlookers though, having netted an equally impressive and arguably even more acrobatic strike for Stoke against Manchester City.

Scored in a 1-1 draw with the Sky Blues back in March 2012, the goal remains among the most audacious ever seen in the Premier League.

Yet both may pale in comparison to Gatagov’s latest effort, which saw the midfielder convert a cross from the left wing with a sensational scorpion kick.

Scored in a league game away at Ordabasy on Saturday, just before half-time, the goal was enough to earn Irtysh a draw and could yet see the Russian among the contenders for the Puskas Award next year.

A former Lokomotiv Moscow youth academy star, who played nearly 50 games as a youngster for the Railroaders before switching to local rivals Dynamo Moscow back in 2014, Gatagov moved to Kazakhstan following loan stints with Tom Tomsk and Anzhi Makhachkala.

Capped 14 times by Russia at Under-21 level, scoring seven goals along the way, the 24-year-old has something of a track record for scoring sensational goals, having netted in style against France’s youth side at the 2011 Under-21 European Championships.

Jack Beresford

Jack is a 27-year-old writer with experience in writing about sport in a range of guises. He’s something of a statto when it comes to soccer and has a passion for English football at all levels, as well as Serie A and the Bundesliga.